The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department is on the hunt for a rape suspect after he was mistakenly freed from county jail.

According to police, Martin Russell Diamond, 23, was arrested May 18 and charged

Martin Russell Diamond

with the kidnapping and rape of a person he knew. He was being held at the Mecklenburg County jail on a $105,500 secure bond.

The next day, police say, a criminal court magistrate mistakenly changed the conditions of the bond to an unsecured status, allowing Diamond to sign himself out that same day.

On Tuesday, CMPD received information that Diamond had been released, and another warrant was issued for his arrest.

CMPD spokesman Robert A. Tufano said the department’s Violent Criminal Apprehension Team was “immediately notified and prioritized the search with a full complement of VCAT staff.”

Diamond is 6-feet tall, weighs approximately 155 pounds and has a tattoo of a cross on his shoulder. Police say he should be considered extremely dangerous.

Anyone with information on Diamond's whereabouts is asked to call 911 or 704-336-VCAT (8228) vcat@cmpd.org. Anonymous tips may also be forwarded to Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600 or http://www.charlottecrimestoppers.com. All information will remain confidential.

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